“This page contains copies of correspondence sent by Bush Whackers to relevant authorities regarding the R563 sinkhole and related infrastructure concerns. It is published for transparency and public record.”
Urgent: R563 Sinkhole – 12 Months of Inaction, Financial Harm, and Irregular Bypass Construction
Inbox
Bush Whackers <bushwhackers1050@gmail.com>
Jan 9, 2026, 12:57 PM
to pressoffice.gpdrt, thulani.mdadane, bulelwa.thomas, chief.operating.engineer, info, premier, gwen.britz
Dear Sir / Madam,
I am writing to formally record and escalate my serious concern regarding the unresolved sinkhole on the R563, which has now remained an ongoing and unresolved problem for approximately 12 months.
I recently had a telephonic conversation with Ms (REDACTED – NAME WITHHELD), during which she confirmed that no wayleaves were ever properly arranged or approved for the bypass road that was constructed and subsequently halted. This admission raises grave concerns regarding governance, procedural compliance, and the use of public funds.
The consequences of this failure are severe and ongoing:
The R563 remains partially unusable, unsafe, and unreliable
Businesses in the area — including my own — have suffered measurable and sustained financial losses
Traffic has been diverted for extended periods without a lawful or completed alternative route
Taxpayer funds appear to have been spent on a bypass that was never legally authorised to proceed
It is deeply concerning that such a critical provincial route could be disrupted for an entire year due to what appears to be administrative negligence, with no visible accountability or urgency shown in resolving the matter.
I request, as a matter of urgency, the following:
A written explanation as to how construction of a bypass proceeded without secured wayleaves
Confirmation of who authorised the works and under what legal basis
A clear and binding timeline for resolving the sinkhole and reopening the R563 fully
Details of interim mitigation measures to protect businesses and road users
Clarification on whether any internal investigation or consequence management has been initiated
Please note that the prolonged closure and mismanagement of this road has direct economic impact on ratepayers and businesses, and may expose the Department and associated entities to claims for damages, as well as scrutiny by oversight bodies.
Should this matter continue without a concrete resolution plan and timeframe, I will have no choice but to escalate it further to:
Provincial oversight structures
The Office of the Premier
Relevant media and business forums
This is not a threat, but a reflection of the seriousness of the situation and the unacceptable duration of inaction.
I expect a written response within 7 days, outlining actionable steps and timelines.
I trust this matter will now be treated with the urgency and seriousness it clearly warrants.
Yours faithfully,
Sandra Oddo
Bush Whackers
083-389-1848
Plot 105 Hekpoort Road Oaktree (R563)
R563 Closure and Systemic Failure in Gauteng Roads: PAIA Request, Full Disclosure, and Demand for Independent Audit
Inbox
Bush Whackers <bushwhackers1050@gmail.com>
Jan 16, 2026, 1:29 PM
to pressoffice.gpdrt, bulelwa.thomas, chief.operating.engineer, premier, gwen.britz, asanda.makubalo, Nomangisi.Dlamini, tipoffs, info, complaints, mec.roads, customerservices, info, complaints, headoffice, queries, bmalatji, secretary, info, floyd, plus, wanda, paia, mystory, tips, news, starsnews, letters, newsdesk, info, comment, webmaster947, newswires, info, media.treasury, citizen, enquiries, scopa, tips, presidency, info, citizen
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to formally lodge a complaint and demand accountability regarding the continued closure of the R563, the failed bypass works, and what this situation clearly reveals about the broader collapse in road infrastructure governance across Gauteng.
While the R563 remains my immediate and most pressing concern due to its direct and ongoing economic impact on local businesses, jobs, and surrounding communities, it has become increasingly clear that this is not an isolated failure. The circumstances surrounding this project point to deeper, systemic issues in planning, procurement, financial control, and accountability within the Gauteng roads and transport environment.
This situation has now dragged on for more than a year with no credible plan, no timelines, and no transparency. Businesses are losing income, jobs are being lost, and communities are suffering, while public funds have already been spent with no tangible outcome. Despite this, senior officials continue to draw substantial salaries funded by rates and taxes, with no visible delivery to justify this expenditure.
Tender and Expenditure Disclosure – R563 (Primary Case)
I hereby request full disclosure of the tender awarded for the incomplete R563 bypass project, including:
the tender reference number and total value
the name of the awarded contractor(s)
the approved scope of work
proof of approved wayleaves (or a written explanation for why construction proceeded without them)
the total amount paid to date
the names and positions of the officials who approved the project and related expenditure
Proceeding with construction without legally secured wayleaves represents either a fundamental governance failure or a willful disregard for due process. Either scenario warrants serious investigation. The public has a right to know how much money was spent, who authorised it, and what—if anything—was delivered.
Waste, Salaries, and Failure of Oversight
Senior managers and executives within provincial roads and transport structures routinely earn in the region of R80,000 to R150,000+ per month, excluding benefits. These salaries are justified on the basis of strategic planning, infrastructure delivery, risk management, and accountability. The current condition of Gauteng’s road network—collapsed projects, unsafe roads, and indefinite closures—raises serious questions about how these responsibilities are being fulfilled.
Had proper governance been applied from the outset—honest planning, lawful procurement, secured wayleaves, and responsible financial management—the R563 situation, and many others like it across Gauteng, would not exist today.
Presidency Escalation Note
This matter is now being escalated to the Office of the President because it represents more than a local or provincial inconvenience. The R563 is a clear and documented example of a wider systemic failure in infrastructure governance, where public funds are spent without outcomes, economic damage is ignored, and no authority accepts responsibility. National-level oversight is now required to restore accountability and public trust.
Formal PAIA Request
In terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), this correspondence must be regarded as a formal request for access to records relating to:
the R563 bypass project
all associated tenders, contracts, variations, and payments
internal approvals, memoranda, and correspondence related to wayleaves
any internal reports, assessments, or investigations conducted to date
Failure to provide the requested information within the legally prescribed PAIA timeframes will leave me no option but to escalate the matter further through the appropriate statutory and oversight mechanisms.
Call for Independent Audit – Provincial Scope
Given the complete breakdown in trust, I formally call for:
a full, independent audit of the R563 project as a priority case study
an expanded audit into road infrastructure projects and expenditure across Gauteng, to determine whether similar failures, waste, or irregularities are widespread
the audit to be conducted by a properly qualified, independent authority
the findings to be made public in full
Internal reviews and generic responses are no longer credible or sufficient.
Response and Transparency Requirement
Any written response to this correspondence must:
directly address the issues raised above, and
be issued with the same media and oversight bodies CC’d, in the interest of transparency and public accountability.
Private or selective responses will be interpreted as an attempt to avoid scrutiny.
I expect a substantive written response. Silence, deflection, or template replies will only reinforce the perception that those responsible are unwilling to account for their actions.
Regards,
Sandra Oddo
Bush Whackers
Plot 105 Hekpoort Road Oaktree (R563)
083 389 1848
“Certain personal names or contact details may be redacted for privacy and safety. The original unaltered emails are retained in full for legal and evidentiary purposes.” “Redactions are applied solely to protect personal privacy and prevent misuse of personal information. The archive is published for transparency, public record, and infrastructure accountability.”
R563 Sinkhole – Public Record Summary
Feb 2025: Sinkhole closure begins on the R563 corridor.
2025: Local businesses and residents begin experiencing sustained access disruption and economic impact.
Oct–Nov 2025: Road conditions deteriorate further with periods of full closure.
5 Feb 2026: Temporary access partially restored via incomplete bypass.
6 Feb 2026: GEO engineering report released publicly.
9 Jan 2026: First formal escalation email submitted regarding the sinkhole and governance concerns.
16 Jan 2026: Formal PAIA request lodged requesting disclosure of tenders, approvals, and project documentation.
Feb 2026: PAIA response period lapses without full disclosure.
18 Feb 2026: Public correspondence record published and follow-up escalation sent to government, oversight bodies, media, and stakeholders.
Mar 2026: Additional ground instability reported along the R563 corridor, raising concerns about further closures and regional traffic disruption if urgent repairs are not completed.
Current Status:
The R563 corridor remains partially operational through a temporary stop-and-go bypass. Concerns remain regarding engineering stability, project governance, and the absence of clear public timelines for full road restoration.
R563 Sinkhole – Notice of Lapsed PAIA Request, Public Correspondence Record, and Request for Formal Update
R563 Emails
Bush Whackers <bushwhackers1050@gmail.com>
Wed, Feb 18, 10:26 AM
to meryl, boykos01, bmgeoser, andrea, madahm, manam, bnf5a69, jilldial, gorgs, nbbrodrick, alisa.ashworth14, danie.smit, ideaswithleatherandla, rnelsontrase, jake.nise, siten, lmbudygp, costhugsenkukeng, j.derr47, mimet, henrie, eikenhorstaden1970
To Whom It May Concern,
I write further to my previous correspondence regarding the R563 sinkhole closure and the broader infrastructure failures affecting the surrounding region.
My initial communication dated 9 January 2026 was followed by a formal escalation on 16 January 2026, which included a PAIA request and detailed concerns relating to governance, planning, project oversight, and public accountability. The legally prescribed PAIA response period has now lapsed without any substantive response addressing the matters raised. While certain individuals acknowledged receipt or redirected queries, no comprehensive disclosure has been provided regarding tender information, confirmed engineering plans, project oversight, or rehabilitation timelines.
For transparency and to preserve an accurate public record, all correspondence relating to this matter is now being documented and published at:
https://bushwhackers.co.za/r563-sinkhole-public-correspondence-record
This page serves as an open archive of communication so that facts, timelines, and responses can be viewed in full context by stakeholders, oversight bodies, media organisations, and the broader community. All emails are presented exactly as originally sent in order to maintain factual integrity.
I wish to be clear about tone and intention. This message is not written to provoke confrontation, but the continued absence of clear communication — particularly where technical information appears to have existed prior to public disclosure — raises serious concerns about transparency, governance, and decision-making processes. Businesses and residents operating along the R563 corridor continue to face prolonged uncertainty with no consistent public guidance.
The purpose of this email is therefore to formally record the following:
• That the PAIA request period has elapsed without substantive disclosure.
• That a public correspondence record is now active and available for review.
• That a clear and accountable update is requested on the current engineering approach, including the bypass works and long-term rehabilitation strategy.
This correspondence has been distributed to approximately 135 recipients across provincial government, municipal structures, oversight bodies, contractors, media organisations, and affected community stakeholders. All recipients have received identical communication in the interest of transparency and to avoid any perception of selective engagement.
As a business owner operating directly on the R563 corridor, I remain deeply disappointed that after more than a year of disruption there is still no consistent public messaging, no defined timelines, and no measurable reassurance that the underlying infrastructure risks are being addressed. Continued silence may leave affected stakeholders with little option but to pursue further oversight or escalation through appropriate channels.
Constructive engagement remains my preferred path forward. Clear, transparent communication can restore trust and reduce unnecessary public tension.
If you no longer wish to receive future correspondence relating to this specific public infrastructure matter, please reply with “REMOVE MY ADDRESS” and your details will be excluded from future distribution lists.
Kind regards,
Joe Grobler & Sandra Oddo
Bush Whackers
Plot 105 Hekpoort Road, Oaktree (R563)
072 727 4277 --- 083 389 1848